Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej conferred the honorable Prince Mahidol Award 2003 on the China Cooperative Research Group on Qinghaosu in Bangkok Thursday. 

The presentation ceremony was held at the Chakri Throne Hall Thursday evening.

The winner of the Prince Mahidol Award 2003 in the field of medicine is China Cooperative Research Group on Qinghaosu and its Derivatives as Anti-malarials, while the winner in the field of public health is Prof. M.D. Herbert L. Needleman of the United States.

Qinghao (Artemisia annia L.) is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used in China for treating malaria for more than 1,500 years.

In 1971, Chinese scientists extracted a compound from qinghao, named Qinghaosu (artemisinine), which is anti-malarial.

The China Cooperative Research Group on Qinghaosu, and its derivatives as anti-malarials, was subsequently established to conduct research on Qinghaosu throughout China.

The research group studied the chemical structure, the synthesis, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical studies of Qinghaosu and its derivatives.

The medicine was found to be effective on P. vivax and the P. falciparum malaria, especially P. falciparum malaria, which is resistant to the Chloroquine drug.

Therefore, the discovery of Qinghaosu is of significance, as it serves as a new drug for treatment of the P. falciparum malaria.  Since its discovery, Qinghaosu has saved millions of malaria patients worldwide.

Prof. M.D. Needleman is professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, in the United States.

He has made significant contributions to the understanding and prevention of childhood lead poisoning.

Through a series of epidemiological studies, Prof. M.D. Needleman found that even in a low dose exposure, lead can cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system of children with resultant lifelong loss of intelligence, alteration of behavior and impairment of health.

The findings by Prof. M.D. Needleman have had major implications for the public health policy, and have influenced campaigns to reduce the use of lead, a major component in industrial products, such as children toys, interior paint and gasoline.

His findings also provided the stimulus to nations around the world, including Thailand, to remove lead form gasoline supplies.

The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under Royal Patronage of the King was established on Jan. 1, 1992 in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Prince Mahidol, the late Prince Father.

The two awards are conferred annually upon individuals or institutions that have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of medical, public health and human services throughout the world.

Each award consists of a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of US$50,000. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2004)